Abstract

We evaluated the frequency, nature and severity of language, speech, reading and writing
impairments in 30 adults with NF1. Spontaneous speech was recorded and selective
language tasks were administered, as well as oral reading, written picture description, the
NART and verbal ¯uency tasks. A distinctive pro®le of speech impairment was identi®ed,
with hypernasality and abnormal rate, volume, pitch and articulation. Language function
was relatively preserved but we detected a range of di�culties in the production of written
language including spelling, dysgraphia, formation of cursive writing and lack of
punctuation. Verbal fluency was markedly reduced in phonemic as opposed to semantic
category generation.
The cause of these patients' speech and writing disorders has not been determined but
they may be due to a combination of impaired motor coordination and an inability to plan
and sequence complex tasks.